WHO calls for six measures to halt spread
In a press briefing Wednesday evening, World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for countries to adopt six measures to aggressively attack the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The measures ask countries to:
❚ Expand, train and deploy health care workers;
❚ Implement a system to find every suspected case “at the community level”;
❚ Ramp up production and availability of testing;
❚ Equip and adapt facilities to isolate and treat patients;
❚ Develop plans and protocols to quarantine;
❚ And refocus the whole of government to suppress and control COVID-19.
“These measures are the best way to suppress and stop transmission, so that when restrictions are lifted, the virus doesn’t re-surge,” Tedros said. “The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses, only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence.”
Tedros also welcomed the call made Monday by United Nations Secretary General António Guterres for a global ceasefire so that governments can wholly focus on eradicating the virus. – Lorenzo Reyes
Prince Charles tests positive
Britain’s Prince Charles, heir to the throne, has tested positive for the coronavirus, his official royal residence said in a statement. The statement said Prince Charles, 71, has “been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health.” His wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, does not have the virus, a test showed.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has canceled a number of diary events “as a sensible precaution” amid the outbreak, but as late as last week she was still holding “audiences” with members of the public. Britain’s monarch is 93. – Kim Hjelmgaard
Italy, Iran see spike in deaths
Italy saw a jump in its daily death toll following two straight days of declines, the nation’s civil protection chief said Wednesday. Tuesday saw 743 deaths, up from 601 on Monday and 653 on Sunday. More than 6,800 have died since the outbreak swept into Italy last month. In Spain, where an ice rink has been converted into a morgue, 738 more deaths were reported for a total of 3,434 overall, surpassing China’s total.
Iran reported 122 deaths, bringing the total there to more than 2,000. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned that U.S. sanctions are impeding Iran’s efforts to fight coronavirus – and are putting the entire world in danger. “In a context of global pandemic, impeding medical efforts in one country heightens the risk for all of us,” Bachelet said.
Fever charting shows distancing ‘is working’
Early evidence suggests closing bars, restaurants and other businesses to keep people apart in places including New York City has slowed the incidence of fevers that are an early indicator of coronavirus, according to a new analysis of fevers and symptoms across the U.S.
Data from health technology company Kinsa, which did the analysis using its digital thermometers, show the number of people with flu-like illness – atypical fever and symptoms – began dropping almost immediately after mandatory social distancing measures were implemented in some areas. The company downloads fever readings from more than 1 million thermometers in use around the U.S.
“When you shut down schools and businesses, you are breaking the chain of infections,” said CEO Inder Singh. “The data are showing it is working.” – Jayne O’Donnell